Right-Left: Vice-Head Teacher of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) School for Blind Children, Osai Lawrence; a teacher in the school, Dorcas Utsaha, FCT Disability Inclusion Programme Officer of PATH TO FOLLOW: Basic Moral And Civic Knowledge Project, Pastor Oghenerukevwe Lucky; and another staff member of the school, Ubong Johnson, during the organization’s visit to the school in Abuja, at the weekend.
By Chesa Chesa
A non-governmental organisation, PATH To Follow: Basic Moral and Civic Knowledge Project, has called for a deliberate programme to ensure the proper integration of physically challenged children into all activities necessary for their development.
The call was made by the organisation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Disability Inclusion Programme Officer, Pastor Oghenerukevwe Lucky, during a visit by the project team to the FCT School for the Blind Children in Jabi, Abuja.
Pastor Lucky expressed concern over what he described as the neglect of physically challenged persons by some individuals and corporate organisations, stressing that their needs go beyond food and other perishable items. He noted that empowering such children with moral and civic knowledge was essential for their present and future development.
He said the project was intentional in equipping physically challenged children with the knowledge needed to navigate life successfully, urging pupils of the school to take full advantage of the initiative.
According to him, the organisation plans to collaborate with the school to implement activities such as lectures and oral quizzes on moral and civic education. He added that outstanding pupils would be rewarded with scholarships, prizes, and gifts at the end of the programme.
In his remarks, the Vice Head Teacher of the school, Mr. Osai, appreciated the organisation for its intervention and concern for the welfare of the pupils. He urged the students to actively participate in the programme to benefit from the opportunities it offers.
Meanwhile, the organisation has also urged parents, teachers, and stakeholders to promote programmes that support the holistic education of children.
Coordinator of the project, Chikezie Allwell Chinkata, made this known in a message to participants at the Inter-House Sports event of Adventist Model School in Abuja. He criticised the tendency of some parents to impose career choices on their children without considering their natural talents and abilities.
Chinkata advised parents and teachers to prioritise moral and civic education as a foundation for children’s success in life.
Also speaking, the Head Teacher of the school, Mr. Manseh Alabura, commended parents and stakeholders for their support in ensuring active participation of pupils in school activities. He noted that the Inter-House Sports event was not only about physical exercise but also about character building and the promotion of values such as discipline, unity, and fairness.
